On December 16, 2010, the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety tabled its Report and Recommendations to the Minister of Labour (“Report”) on ways to improve workplace health and safety in Ontario. As recommended by the Report, the government announced the creation of a Chief Prevention Officer position, which will be tasked with…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
Federal Pension Regulations Proposed
On Tuesday, December 14, 2010, the federal government proposed a number of regulatory amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985 for public commentary. The proposed amendments are designed to increase protection of plan members and retirees and would, in part: permit plan sponsors to secure properly structured letters of credit in lieu of making…
Federal Economic Recovery Bill Passes
On December 15, 2010, Bill C-47, the Sustaining Canada’s Economic Recovery Act, received Royal Assent. The Bill is omnibus legislation and addresses numerous measures of interest to employers, including: income tax reforms relating to stock option plans and employee life and health trusts as outlined in the March 2010 Budget previously reported on August 30,…
Ontario Legislative Assembly Adjourns Until February 22, 2011
On December 9, 2010, the House adjourned for the winter break. It is scheduled to resume sitting on February 22, 2011.
Ontario’s Accountability Bill Receives Royal Assent
On December 8, 2010, Bill 122, the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Bill passed at Third Reading on December 2, 2010 after being amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy under an accelerated schedule for consideration and debate.
New OHSA Regulations Filed
On December 6, 2010, the Ontario government filed a number of regulatory amendments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including: O. Reg. 480/10 (Firefighters—Protective Equipment), amending O. Reg. 714/94 in respect of protective garment standards for firefighters performing interior structural fire suppression duties; and O. Reg. 479/10 (Designated Substance—Asbestos on Construction Projects and in…
Ontario’s Phase II Pension Reform Bill Receives Royal Assent
On December 8, 2010, Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Bill passed at Third Reading on December 7, 2010 after being amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs under an accelerated schedule for consideration and debate.
Excellent Care For All Act Regulations Filed
On December 2, 2010, the Ontario government filed the following regulations under the Excellent Care For All Act (the “Act”): O. Reg. 444/10 (Executives), defining public hospital executives for the purposes of section 1 of the Act to include certain members of senior management, chiefs of staff of the hospital and the chief nursing executive…
Ontario Passes Pension Reform Bill
On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, the Ontario government passed Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010. As previously reported, Bill 120 was amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and ordered for Third Reading on December 1, 2010 under an accelerated schedule for consideration and debate….
Ontario Passes Accountability Bill
On December 2, 2010, the Ontario government passed Bill 122, the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010. As previously reported, the Bill was amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy and ordered for Third Reading on November 30, 2010 under an accelerated schedule for consideration and debate.